Movies : Movie Reviews

Last Updated: Jul 5, 2008 - 8:12:15 PM

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Knocked Up By Mitch Emerson Jun 1, 2007 - 12:44:18 PM

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Title: Knocked Up
Starring: Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Katherine Heigl, Jason Segel
Directed By: Judd Apatow
Produced By: Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Shauna Robertson
Genre: Comedy
Release Date: June 1st, 2007
MPAA Rating: R for sexual content, drug use and language.
Distributors: Universal Pictures Distribution

Knocked Up is being billed as the funniest movie of the year and let me tell you, they aren't kidding. And, to prove the pointless point even more, I have seen it twice already and as of this writing the movie hasn't even been released yet!

Ben Stone (Seth Rogen) and Alison Scott (Katherine Heigl) are exact polar opposites. She works for E!, He doesn't work. She is beautiful, he isn't. She has aspirations and dreams, he has drug induced hallucinations. They are thrown into this thing we call life when Alison ends up pregnant after what was supposed to be a one night stand. Ben and Alison decide to try becoming a couple for the baby's sake. Is Ben ready? Can Alison deal with Ben and his slacker friends? Go see it and find out!

Judd Apatow, the man responsible for the hit The 40 Year-Old Virgin has taken what could have been a sequel to The 40 Year-Old Virgin and made it it's own monster. Virgin showed how a geek can get laid and Knocked up shows what happens after a geek gets laid.  Some could say that Apatow has grown up in his choice of material but still loves the infantile humor. Making a comedy out of being pregnant has to walk a fine line between being funny without crossing over into the land of being insensitive.  And there is at least one moment where he goes for the gross out comedy that is quite unnecessary, but besides that, Apatow and crew have created a hilarious look at what happens when people are pushed into a situation that almost everyone has feared at least once in their life.

Featuring almost every cast member from Apatow's earlier works, Knocked Up almost feels like a family reunion. Everybody is comfortable with everyone else and it shows. I love movies where you can tell that the cast and crew are having tons of fun making the movie and that is exactly what happens here. Seth Rogen may not be the typical Hollywood lead, but he does possess a slight charm that works. Katherine Heigl doesn't really bring a whole lot to the table, but I don't think it's her fault. The role of Alison could be played by any number of todays actresses. Leslie Mann, Judd Apatow's real life wife who you may remember as the drunk blond that threw up all over Steve Carrell in FYOV, turns in a great supporting part as Alison's sister Debbie. Paul Rudd as Pete is priceless, especially the scene in the hotel room after eating magic mushrooms. The rest of the players include Jonah Hill, Martin Starr, Jason Segal, and Jay Baruchel. Also appearing in smaller parts/cameos is Harold Ramis, Joanna Kearns, B.J Novak, Alan Tudyk etc, etc... One cameo early in the film that is priceless is Ryan Seacrest just going off about the state of Hollywood. It's almost worth the price of admission for that alone.

All in all, an extremely hilarious look at unplanned pregnancy, relationships and best buds, Apatow has succeeded in creating a comedy that proves that he is not a one hit wonder. Watch out for this guy.

Keep it reel,
Mitch E.
mitch@comicbookbin.com

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